"Yes, Xuexue, you shouldn't have ducked away. You knew there was a wall behind you. How could your aunt not crash into it and bleed?"
The women all blamed Xuexue, each adding their own words to the scolding.
Xuexue frowned and sneered, "So you mean I should have just stood there and let her hit me, right?"
"Of course, as a junior, it's good for you to be disciplined by your elders. You should stand still and let them teach you a lesson."
Xuexue glared and said, "Nonsense, what kind of logic is that? Bullying people at will and then pulling rank in front of me? Disgusting!"
"Oh my! Tsk, tsk, tsk, Madam Xie, look at what kind of manners you've taught your daughter, not only is she disrespectful to her elders, but she also spews vulgar words the moment she speaks." One woman looked disdainful, pursing her lips and shaking her head dismissively at Madam Xie.
They were all seasoned in dealing with such scenarios. Previously, Madam Ruan often led them in tormenting Madam Xie and her daughters; today, however, things were just slightly out of control.
"Xuexue had a severe fever and has been unconscious for a few days, and she's not yet well. Please don't take it to heart," Madam Xie apologized timidly.
"Hmph! Fever, she looks perfectly lucid to me."
At that moment, Madam Ruan, who was nearby, cried out in pain again. Another woman beside her covered the wound on Ruan's forehead with her hand, turned her head anxiously, and said, "Auntie Li, stop arguing with her. Get Madam Ruan to the doctor quickly, oh dear, this wound does look scary."
Seeing the amount of blood she had lost, Madam Ruan also became terrified and pleaded, "Please take me to the doctor quickly. I don't want to die."
"Madam Ruan, don't be afraid; we'll go right now."
Auntie Li responded while giving Madam Xie and Xuexue a fierce glare. Then, turning around, she helped support Madam Ruan as they went to see the doctor.
Before leaving, she threw down a harsh word: "Just wait, we won't let this go."
"Anytime, be assured, I won't run away," Xuexue replied confidently with her hands on her hips.
"Xuexue, how did you become like this?" Madam Xie looked at her confusedly.
In the past, Xuexue was very well-behaved; she never raised her voice, let alone opposed her elders. Whether right or wrong, she was always the type to take a scolding without retort and a beating without defense. The villagers had always praised Xuexue as clever and sensible. But now, just after one fever, she had changed completely, and it was no wonder Madam Xie was worried.
"Mother, I was nearly killed by Xiuzhi. After this ordeal, I've realized a lot. People shouldn't be too kind; otherwise, they get bullied. Mother, you should also change your temperament. Only then will we few have a better life," Xuexue earnestly advised.
"What exactly happened? Xuexue, tell your mother," Madam Xie became anxious upon hearing that Xiuzhi had almost killed Xuexue and hurriedly asked.
Xuexue recounted what had happened the night Mo Xiaoqiang had taken a concubine, from start to finish. Then, with sadness in her eyes, she said to Madam Xie, "Mother, I am someone who has come back from Ghost Gate Pass. Now besides you and Chuner, no one else matters much to me anymore."
Madam Xie, heartbroken, regretted her own weakness that had nearly cost her daughter's life. Holding back tears, she said, "Xuexue, from now on, do whatever you want to do; your mother will support you.